Pre-Breeding Technician (m/f/d)

Description

As part of our growth strategy and plans, we are seeking a **Pre-Breeding Technician (m/f/d)** for **KWS Vegetables**. This is a full-time, permanent position based at our station in **Almería, Spain**. The start date is October 1, 2026. It is a strategic objective of KWS to establish, in the long term, a significant position in the vegetable seed sector. To achieve this, the company is making progressive investments over the coming years. In addition, we offer a practical working environment and the opportunity to collaborate with highly motivated and qualified colleagues. **Key responsibilities:** **Development:** Within the pepper pre-breeding area, execute, manage, monitor, and support activities related to germplasm characterization, trait introgression, and pre-breeding population development, ensuring a continuous flow of new genetic diversity and traits into the breeding pipeline. **Personnel management:** Plan, organize, execute, track, and distribute daily work associated with the pre-breeding program as efficiently and effectively as possible, within the framework of the available budget and resources. **Pre-breeding trials:** Pre-breeding trials include germplasm evaluations, donor characterization, population advancement, trait validation trials, and seed increase activities. Organize and carry out sowing, transplanting, crossing, self-pollination, and harvesting of pre-breeding trials under close supervision, to enable effective selection, crossing activities, and population development. In close collaboration with the farm team, the pre-breeding technician is responsible for allocating and/or performing cultural practices and/or crop management activities to ensure healthy crop development and maximize pre-breeding outcomes. Responsible for printing labels for seeds, seedlings, and plants. **Genetic resources and seed management:** Responsible for the production, maintenance, storage, and/or disposal of seeds selected by supervisors. Compliance with QC protocols, preparation of seeds for QC analysis, and adherence to the highest hygiene standards specified by supervisors and/or other teams responsible for hygiene matters. **Tissue sampling:** The pre-breeding technician is responsible for performing tissue collection for DNA extraction and disease testing. **Data collection:** Pre-breeding technicians must be able to collect phenotypic information following supervisor instructions, as well as upload and download this information into data systems. Phenotypic information may include agronomic, morphological, quality, and disease resistance evaluations of germplasm and pre-breeding populations. **Communication:** Close communication with: the farm team, especially the farm technician, to manage daily work; temporary labor contractors; temporary workers; pathology team in cases of potential disease identification; screening specialist, to identify trial locations and assist in aligning phenotypic data collection between the pre-breeding program and the person responsible for screening; other (pre)breeding technicians within the program, to ensure best practices across all breeding locations. Effective communication with local and international teams; practical knowledge of English is valued. **HRM:** Responsible for on-the-job training and technical instructions for temporary staff. This training includes providing technical guidance to meet agreed standards (QHSE, SOPs), time planning, and budgeting. **Your profile:** * Vocational secondary education in agriculture, horticulture, or biology, plus relevant experience * Practical knowledge of horticulture, agronomy, and pathology * Minimum two years of experience in a similar role * Experience and skills: + Personnel management + Knowledge of crop agronomy * Organization and planning * Basic computer skills * Valid driver’s license * Willingness to travel domestically (up to 10 %) * Knowledge of English is an advantage We look forward to receiving your application through our SuccessFactors application system! Please use the "Apply" function in the job posting.